But being sustainable at your restaurant does not have to compromise your design: on the following paragraphs you will learn some ways to be more sustainable and earth friendly without conflicting with your branding and marketing strategies.

Here are 5 ways to make your restaurant more sustainable:

ON THE TABLE

·  Linens: use organic cottons for the cloth napkins and table clothes. Here, you can play with the color palette of your branding.

·  Serving equipment: glass (recycled glass, in green and brown colors are super on trend right now) washable cups, ceramic dishes (here I recommend teaming up with your local ceramic studio, and commissioning a set of dishes and bowls that go with your Restaurant Identity, making it as minimal or as colorful as you desire), and quality flatware that will last a LONG time without scratching or bending.

·  Tap water: ditch the plastic bottle, and pick a nice glass bottle, again, minimal, vintge, colored, that suits the look and feel, and keep it in the table with in-house filtered water.

IN THE KITCHEN

·  Appliances: when choosing and buying the appliances, choose the energy efficient ones. Yes, this will be a higher up-front cost, yet in long term, it will save you money AND save energy: both good for your wallet and for the planet.

IN THE RESTROOM

·  Hand Dryer: opt for air dryers instead of bath towels. This saves tons of trees, plus makes the restroom look more up to date and high end. It’s a win-win. There are several brands in the market making super sleek mand driers, and it also saves you the work of filling up with bath towels when you are out of them.

·  Appliances: here is another place where saving water is an option, the toilet itself, can be of two different flushes, and the faucets that are initiated by movement. Again, sleek and modern looking designs, which upgrade the restroom significantly while also saving water.

FURNITURE AND DÉCOR

·  Wood: When making custom furniture, choose rapidly renewable wood like bamboo, or FSC Certified wood

·  Re-use: implement unique accents and pieces by shopping vintage

·  Re-purpose: some old stuff can be painted, re upholstered, polished, etc. to bring in a new feature. Using re purposed items can bring a sense of warmth and coziness to the space, new stuff can’t.

·  Lights: when code permits, and the use as well, try using motion sensitive lights, this will end up saving you money by not having unused lights on.

·  Recycle Bins: make them a statement piece, by adding color or graphics that will enhance your branding, while also recycling and encouraging not only your employees, but also your customer.

TO GO

·  SAY NO TO Styrofoam: Use recyclable and if possible, compostable boxes for takeout, to go, and doggy bags when requested. Much better looking than plastic.

I hope you enjoyed this article and inspires you to bring more sustainability to your business!

xo

Angie

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